Page 52 of Ruthless Legacy

“Everyone except the people guilty of hurting me, right?”

“You want me to torture Pax and Eloise? I’ll do that too.” I step closer, a smile on my face. “You know, one way to do that is to let me make you feel good.” I reach down, stroking my length. “They both hate how much I want you. We should be together all the time. Having so much sex, we can barely function in the morning. That’ll damage them worse than cutting them up will.”

She laughs. “Nice try, Finn. I’m not having sex with you, just to piss off your friend.”

“I notice you said, my friend. Does that mean you’ll have sex with me to piss off Eloise?”

She hops down off the sink and heads into my bedroom. “Maybe. But not tonight.”

I slip on some clothes, then lead Thea back to the garage. I wish we were driving together back to school. She’s waiting for me when I come out of the parking garage. We walk to the dorm and ride the elevator in silence. Outside her room, she turns to me and says, “Thank you.”

I’m smiling, even though she closes the door in my face. She appreciates my effort to get her answers. We’ll be back together in no time.

Chapter22

Thea

Ipromised to sit at the legacy table, but I didn’t tell them it’d be right away, so I’m skipping lunch today in favor of working on my forensic assignment. I’m exiting the building where my class is held, and spot a familiar person on the sidewalk ahead of me. I walk over to where Papa Pax is standing and say, “Now I’m starting to think you’re following me.”

He peers down at me, face devoid of all emotions. “My grandson attends this school.”

“But he doesn’t have a class in this building right now.”

He taps his cane on the ground in front of him, leaning on it with both hands. “You keep track of Pax’s schedule?”

“I like to have an idea where all potential threats may be located.”

I’ve surprised him. It bleeds into his response. “Most people view Paxton as an asset, not a threat.”

“Most people probably want something from him and his friends. Just like they want something from you. I don't, so I don’t pretend they’re anything other than who they are.”

“And you see them as threats? Interesting.”

I reposition my backpack, shrugging it more comfortably on my shoulder. “I have somewhere to be. Enjoy your people watching.”

“You don’t see me as an asset, either?”

“Look, Mr. Cox, I’m not trying to offend you. I’ve heard enough about how powerful you and your family are, but none of that or your extracurricular activities have anything to do with me.”

He grins at me. It’s a weird mashup of amusement and begrudging tolerance. “Which brings me to my visit. I hear you’ve not fully embraced the idea of your new position here.”

Why are we having this conversation again? I know he listened the last time. It’s why I’m not still getting hounded about that guardian program. Maybe he needs me to decline this, too? “It’s Joshua’s position. Not mine.”

“You are correct. He’s reinstated at his previous rank., However, you’re afforded the benefits because of your familial relation.”

I shake my head. “I didn’t earn it, so why would I use whatever perceived benefit or advantage his name is supposed to give me?”

He twirls his cane in the air like a baton. “Is that what’s important to you? Earning things?”

“Of course. That and my self respect, which I won’t compromise just to make Joshua feel important.”

“It’s a privilege, Thea.”

“That’s what you and everyone else says. How would it benefit me? Explain to me one privileged thing to enhance my life, not based on money and status in your little community, that this title will give me.”

I realize most people would just shut up. I realize that with his money and influence, most people would just accept what he says, and color in the lines. I hope he’s realizing that I’m not most people.

“The title comes with the respect you say is important to you.”

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